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For example, if you are aiming for 100% and you get -- say -- 98% in one exam, you won't really care because you were aiming for 100% and that 2% is enough for you to disregard everything and any ambition of aiming the highest even though it probably won't make a difference in the long run.

i.e. You want something to be completely perfect ELSE you don't care for it at all.

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4 Answers 4

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I think you are describing a perfectionist:

  • somenone with the propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards.

(AHD)

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    The "ELSE ..." in the question make me think to "intransigent" or "inflexible" that characterize the refusal to compromise or to abandon an extreme position or attitude. As these words don't really fit with the idea of perfection, they may qualify "perfectionist", i.e. "intransigent or inflexible perfectionist".
    – Graffito
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:27
  • @Graffito - intransigent or inflexible carry 'negative' connotations, and would not add any significant improvement to the definition of "perfectionist" that, to me , well exemplifies an attitude to 'extremely high standard' of execution.
    – user66974
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:37
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    In his question, silenceislife wrote "2% is enough for you to disregard everything ..." and "...ELSE you don't care for it at all." A perfectionist will be displeased with imperfections, but he won't necessarily have a "all-or-nothing" attitude.
    – Graffito
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:46
  • Well, that depends on the "perfectionist" involved. That is anyway the closest I can think of. If you have a more appropriate suggestion that may fit the context, please post an answer.
    – user66974
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:52
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    I voted for "perfectionist": its the perfect word for "aiming at 100% ... be completely perfect". Intransigent or inflexible were only suggestions to bear the idea that any imperfection "is enough for you to disregard everything". I agree that these adjectives are not a major improvement and may be disputable.
    – Graffito
    Sep 16, 2015 at 21:04
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Consider Completionist

n. (in a video game) a player who attempts to complete every challenge and earn every achievement or trophy

I’m not really a completionist, so I skipped the side missions and focused on the main story quests.

Or try Completist

n. a person who attempts to complete a collection or set, especially a collector who wants to collect an example of every item in a particular field

This recording is a must for obsessive Sinatra completists.

I'd only recommend this movie to Hepburn completists.

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Consider, hardnose

hard-nosed adj.

: being tough, stubborn, or uncomprising M-W

hardnose noun

A hard-nosed person M-W

Quiz: Are you a hard-nosed negotiator or a soft touch? British Council

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Although it is rarely used the word you are looking for is Absolutist. noun 1. the principle or the exercise of complete and unrestricted power in government. 2. any theory holding that values, principles, etc., are absolute and not relative, dependent, or changeable.

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    Please consider adding an explanation of why absolutist is a good fit for the situation that the poster describes. A relevant definition of the word from a good dictionary would do a lot to strengthen your answer. Thanks.
    – Sven Yargs
    Feb 27, 2016 at 0:28

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